Minster for Planning Questioned over the Freedom of Residents Objections

MR WELLS (Rowville) (11:34:00) — (13 742) The question I wish to raise is for the Minister for Planning. Minister, under changes proposed by Labor’s so-called smart planning system what requirements will be in place to ensure communities are consulted about new developments and to protect the freedom of residents to have their say and raise objections to planning applications that impact on their own neighbourhoods? The Rowville residents are deeply concerned that the reform advisory group, the expert panel advising Labor’s Victoria Planning Provisions framework, does not include residents or community groups although local government representatives and industry bodies are on the panel. They are also concerned at the prospect of some parts of the planning process being privatised and an expansion of a number of planning applications which will not require a permit, particularly if those include medium and high-density developments.